• Miss. Dawa Doma Sherpa
• Dr. Sunita Kharel

Ecotourism is the most feasible industry of Sikkim that manages both conservation and economic development. Community based ecotourism has been largely practices in the state of Sikkim. Participation of local community in ecotourism raises awareness in protection of natural and cultural resources at any destinations. Local community has been identified the key agent for successful ecotourism development. Kitam village has been identified as an Ecotourism Zone by Directorate of Ecotourism, Sikkim Forest Department. Tourists visiting ‘Kitam Bird Sanctuary’ has been viewed the core feature in ecotourism development of this village. Therefore, the present study made an attempt to understand the impact of ecotourism in view of environmental and socio-economic development in the village of Kitam, South Sikkim. The finding of this study shows that participation of local community in ecotourism has made significant contributions in providing alternate livelihood. This study also tries to indicate some negative impact of ecotourism development in Kitam.

Kitam, Ecotourism, Local Community participation, Socio-economic and Environmental Impact.

"Socio-Economic development through Ecotourism: A Case Study of Kitam Village, South Sikkim ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 1, page no.1971-1975, January-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1901D83.pdf

"Socio-Economic development through Ecotourism: A Case Study of Kitam Village, South Sikkim ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 1, page no. pp1971-1975, January-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1901D83.pdf